Traveling on a Gondola from your Disney Resort to the Parks is a great way to get around the Walt Disney World Resort. In this post I am sharing everything you need to know about the Disney World Skyliner, from the Disney Skyliner route and map to the resorts on the Disney Skyliner, this guide is everything you need to know for your Disney trip.
Learning about the Disney World Skyliner is important when planning a trip to Disney World. Guests staying at one of the Disney Skyliner resorts will have quick access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, but they will pay a little more than comparable hotels.
I like the skyliner because it makes it easy to get to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Keep in mind the Skyliner typically closes for refurbishment in January. I do not recommend paying more to stay at a Skyliner resort when the Skyliner is not running, unless you really love the resort.
Where Does the Disney Skyliner Go
The Disney Skyliner route travels from four Walt Disney World resorts as well as Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme parks.
It runs daily to and from the parks and resorts. They will typically start between 7:30am-8:30am and stop between 10:00pm and 11:00pm. There are signs at the entrance with the hours for the day.
Per Walt Disney World’s website…” Disney Skyliner is available each day one hour before Early Theme Park Entry at Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It will close 90 minutes after Epcot and Hollywood Studios closes. On Extended Evening hours it will close 60 minutes after close.”
Extended evening hours are only available at Deluxe resorts and the Skyliner will not run to the value resorts at this time.
Disney Resorts on the Skyliner
There are 4 resorts on the Disney Skyliner. They are Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Pop Century and Art of Animation share a Skyliner station that will take guests to the main skyliner hub at Caribbean Beach. From there guests will board a gondola to Hollywood Studios or Epcot. There is not bus transportation to Hollywood Studios or Epcot at these resorts unless the Skyliner is down for maintenance or weather delay.
Route for the Disney Skyliner from Resorts
The routes for the Disney Skyliner to the parks is dependent on where you are going. The hub of the Disney Skyliner station is Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. This offers transportation to Hollywood Studios and Epcot as well as connects the Disney Skyliner resorts.
Guests Staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort:
- Going to Hollywood Studios: Take Skyliner to Caribbean Beach. From Caribbean Beach take Skyliner to Hollywood Studios. You will have to transfer gondola’s.
- Going to Epcot: Take Skyliner to Caribbean Beach. From Caribbean Beach take Skyliner to Epcot. You will have to transfer gondola’s.
Guests Staying at Riviera Resort:
- Going to Hollywood Studios: Take Skyliner or Walk to Caribbean Beach Station. From Caribbean Beach take Skyliner to Hollywood Studios.
- Going to Epcot: Take Skyliner from Riviera Station to Epcot.
Guests Staying at Caribbean Beach Resort:
- Going to Hollywood Studios: Take Skyliner from Caribbean Beach Station to Hollywood Studios.
- Going to Epcot: Take Skyliner from Caribbean Beach Station to Epcot or Walk to Riviera Station to board to Epcot. Guests do not have to get off the Skyliner at the Riviera Station to continue on to Epcot.
What to Expect on the Disney Skyliner
The Gondolas move fairly quickly and efficiently. The gondolas have two wooden benches on each side that fit 4 people across comfortably. Be prepared to be seated with another group if you have a small party, the Skyliner fits 10 guests.
Strollers are welcome on the gondolas and it is free to ride for any guests. You do not have to be staying at a Disney Resort. There is not Air Conditioning on the gondolas but they do have a decent airflow and we have never felt uncomfortable due to heat, even during our summer trips to Disney.
The Disney Skyliner does not provide transportation to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. Guests staying at a Disney Skyliner resort would take the Disney bus to those theme parks.
Always allot for time to board, waiting in line, or any unexpected stops. When heading to the park we usually give ourselves 40-60 minutes before park opening.
If you are staying at the Boardwalk, Beach Club, or Yacht Club you can make the short 10-15 minute walk to the Epcot Skyliner station to visit other resorts or transport to Hollywood Studios.
The Epcot station is located at the International Gateway Station. Guests will enter Epcot at the World Showcase between the UK Pavilion and France.
Is the Disney Skyliner Scary?
I haven’t found a lot of places that discuss how some people may find the Disney Skyliner gondolas scary. I am not a big fan of heights and it took some getting used to before I felt comfortable on it.
One thing that helped me was riding backwards. I don’t know why this helped with the heights for me but it made a big difference.
The second thing is to prepare yourself for the gondolas to occasionally stop.
The gondolas will stop if they need to take extra time assisting a wheelchair or a guest that needs help off the gondola. This will slow the gondolas and at times they will come to a stop.
Most stops are not longer than 2-4 minutes. Try to relax and enjoy the views but be prepared if you think this will make you uncomfortable.
Is a Disney Skyliner Resort worth it?
If you choose one of the Disney hotels resorts on the Skyliner route it will cost more than a comparable resort in the same category.
For example guests staying at Pop Century or Art of Animation will pay more than a stay at another Disney value resort like an All Star Sports.
There are pros and cons to the skyliner. The biggest pro being it is a quick and easy way to get to the parks. You avoid the longer bus wait times and it is usually efficient.
The cons are some people do not like the heights and the feeling of the aerial gondolas. If you are staying at Pop Century or Art of Animation, the travel time is the longest and you will go over a small lake. The shortest ride on the Skyliner is from Disney’s Riviera Resort to Epcot on the Epcot line.
My Final Thoughts
Honestly, I have a love/hate relationship with the Skyliner. I am not a big fan of heights and when it stops I definitely don’t like it, but I have learned to get through it because it is such a time saver and overall easier transportation system than the buses.
If you are planning to visit Epcot and Hollywood Studios during your visit you may want to consider staying at a Disney Skyliner resort to save time and make it easier to get to and from the parks.
Only you know your travel party best and you should do what will work best for them. There are many resort options at Walt Disney World from value resorts to the monorail resorts that will enhance your trip to Disney.
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Leah has been a Disney fan her entire life. From growing up with the movies to planning amazing Disney trips. She loves sharing her passion for Disney and helping others plan amazing Disney trips.
